Dining Facility Plans To Reopen

Owner To Rebuild After Fire At Site

The plan and zoning commission Tuesday unanimously approved owner Peter Guastamachio's plan to rebuild a deck and dining area that was destroyed by a fire in April.

While reconstruction and renovation of the Main Street restaurant will begin soon, the rebirth of the popular eatery will also include a new name. Plans call for opening the still-unnamed restaurant in late October or early November.

The restaurant -- part of a chain that includes Hot Tomato's and Braza -- employed 45 people. Earlier in the month, director of operations Dan Keller said the restaurant will include a new menu with not only its hallmark Latin dishes, but also Asian, Spanish and American items.

An early-morning fire April 21 destroyed the outside dining area of the restaurant. The highly visible site near the East Hartford town line has remained an eyesore for the past five months while Guastamachio waited for an insurance settlement.

Architect Alan Lampson said the original plan called for a porch area with a hard roof over it, but that proposal proved to be too costly. The current proposal calls for a deck with an awning extending over it from the side of the restaurant. Although Lampson did not know what the colors of the awning would be, one of the conditions of the building permit was to return to the commission for approval of the colors.

``This is a very visible,'' commission member Patricia V. Low said. ``It's Main Street. Everyone would feel comfortable if they knew what the colors were going to be.''

Commission members were glad the rebuilding plan is moving forward.

``We wish him well,'' Vice Chairman William T. Finn said. ``This is a real focal point in the northern end of town. I know this must have been a tremendous hardship on himself and the business. It was sad to go by all summer and not see people out on the deck enjoying themselves. It's good seeing them move ahead.''